Roller mill



Sept. 16, 1952 I E. H. MILLER ROLLER MILL Filed March 12, 1949 2 SHEETS SHEET l IN VEN TOR.

Ill ll ll BY 5064A H/V/LLER Mm W414,

HTIDANEYS P 1952 E. H. MILLER 2,610,801

' ROLLER MILL Filed March 12, 1949 2 smz'rs -sm'r 2 IN VEN TOR. 06m h. M/LLE/P ATTMNEYS AAA I: I rm E y a /z/ i WW NW V description and claims wh tsp t c aime Patented Sept. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF- ICE ROLLER MILL Edgar HrMiller, Detroit, Mich., assignor of onehalf to Edmund E. Edmiston, Cleveland, Ohio Application March 12, 1949, Serial No. 8 1, Q 1 C aims. (01. 241-67 llliis lnvention relates to the art of roller mills a e. ada ted for ih er ndine ofa iqu ;materials, v as for instance pigments, clays, foods, paper pulp. paper coat s cs, jch m e s,

seeds, grain, etc.

It is of course understood that in such a mill it is desirable to vary the space betweenthe gad- Jacent. rolls so as toobtain the desired degree of. pressureaccording-to the particular character :of grinding in any given case; and it is equally desirable to be able to effect such adjustment'in a uniform, dependable and convenient manner.

It' is therefore the object of my-present invention-to devise a roller mill with means whereby there may be effected an adjustment of a roll in such manner as to ensure parallel roll relation at al1 times; in which there may be effected such true adjustment throughout the entire length of an adjustable roll and for all; adjustable rolls -to any fine degree desired so as to permit the desired character of milling in a uniform manner;

in which such predetermined degree of adjustment may be eifected in a simple and efilcient manner; and in which such variation in the pressure between the rolls maybe effectedat any provided upon the interior of the roll body itself for increasing the efliciency of the mill operatron including the end portions of the roll.

'Qther objects will appear from theffollowing 1 n d re t the with the accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is a perspectiveview of a roller mill embodying my present improvements;

ig- 2 is a o p es ewihere with pa t br ken away;

F lisa view corresponding to line iii-40f F g-.3; an

Fig. 5 is a view taken on line 5 g 57 of Fig.3. lit is toybe understoodfthat the present form 'sclosure is-rnerely for the purpose of illus-' and that there mightbe devised various cations thereofwithout departing from the f'my invention asherein set forth and {ized pressure at all times atbothends of each desired, rammin e i ia vonerati nf c th 4 I s an, enla ge -dew t e -.pn-1 r 37 7 middle r0113.

i the presentillustration li have lndicated a th ceg m ll a; w h. t e tWQ 1 and 1 .2. are. ad us le t ar s nde r m. h smi ldl .relli wh ch s no a ju t l Ibe er l -am e1 arrang in a el relation o ea o her and .a ee ap d to be ota ed hrough sears Aircm anelectric motor.

As a e s or v iusting hefrcil l and}.

e h o is id d h e do bl eactins-hydraulic master cylinder 6 and plunger 1 withpipe linerconnections V8 to thedouble-acting hydraulic auxiliary cylinder Hand plunger, lflvatseachendfqf eachadjustable roll. It is to be noted that the g Y pipes 8 provide communication between both sides ofthemaster plunger I and both sides.. of eachjof the auxili ary plungers i ll). -Therelis a pressure gauge I72 in each of these pipelines and the gauge will be set for the desired pressure between the rolls, whereuponv the adjustable roll in each casewill be moved accordingly.

This hydraulic system is entirely closed. Thus the auxiliary hydraulicmeans may be said-to be connected to the master hydraulic means fin parallel and there is ensured uniform and equaladjustable roll and the roll adjustment will be even throughout its entire length andthe rolls will be maintained parallel at all times with; 13espectto each other. I o The master plunger 'I'in each instance leoperated by means'of the electric motor I3 which rotates the screw 14 which, in turn, has operative engagement with the screw-threaded nut Iii-upon the rear end ofjthe rodIa-of the master plun er 1. Themotor I3 may be controlled by means of suitably, located "and :readily accessible-contact buttons F 5 l 617 and i 6 c.

Each adjustable roll will have its -individual hydraulic system and electric motor and control means'thereforto permit'actua-tion of the master plungenas above-, de-

scribed, so as to permit independent adjustment of each of the rolls l and Ztowards-and from the Each auxiliary plunger rod loafisconnected,

as for instance by. a clevis or yoke IOb,-to thegcor responding end o-fthe shaft I! of one of the-ladjustable rolls l and .2. As a still further improve- 'ment, the rolls are soformed that the shell .18

of each roll rotates upon its shaft Ilwhich does not rotate. For instance, thesha ft 11 ateach end and each clevis 1 0b may be provided withinterengag-ing flat portionsyand furthermore, a set screw Ha may be provided'in each clevls forengagementiwith the corresponding fiat portionof the shaft [1, which'isindicated by reference'rnu- .mera1 lv9. The purpose of this arrangementis'to V means as are herein referred to.

outer end of one of the castings 22 has afiixed thereto a gear 4 for driving connection from an electric motor, as a ove explained.

The shaft H, which is of hollow form, is provided with as many sets of holes 24 as may be desired to accommodate temperature regulating means which may be lead throu h the same and into the space within the hollow roll shell l8. For instance, part of such temperature re ulating means may consist of a suitable form of thermostat 25 for automaticallycontrolling suitable heating or cooling means 21 which will also extend in through the hollow shaft '1, holes 24 and into the hollow shell [8 of the roll. This device may be provided with either heating or cooling means or both such means may be embodied in the same device if so desired: the means 21 here indicated being only illustrative. The holes 24 will be packed so as to close the same about the various temperature regulating means. These several instrumentalities, which constitute the temperature-regulating means, are here indicated in only a general way as the present organization is not limited to anv specific form of thermostatic control means or heating or cooling means." The point is that my present structure facilitates the inclusion of all such means as may be desired in any given case; and my present invention is to be understood as embodvin all such For instance, an electric resistance 27:; wire may be lead into the hollow shell I8 throu h the conduit 21 for heatin purposes. Also. ater may be supplied to water main suppl line throu h the pipes 28 for cooling. the extent ofthe outlet 28a within the shell deter-min ne the hei ht or de th of the water within the shell. Instead of providing circulation of water throu h the shell .under the force of the main supply line, it may be retained within the shell by closing the valve25i after supplying water to the shell. Also, an antifreeze solution ma be provided in the water within the shell. The water or'liouid' within the shell not only will itself serve as a cooling medium but will serve also as a' means for conducting the heat or cold radially from the other heating or cooling medium outwardly to the shell I8.

Each of the castings 22 may be provided with annular grooves 22a thereabout in the region of the outer end portions of the shell [8; and these grooves have duct connections 22b through the inner end of the casting in each instance, there being a plurality of sets of ducts 22b, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 5- of 'the'present drawing.

end of the chamber within the hollowroll so as to prevent temperature-conditioning. liquid; from the interior of the she l [3 from the re ular v control buttons therefor.

entering the bearings between the housings 23 and the shaft ll.

In actual use of my present invention, each gauge I2 will be set for the desired pressure for each end roll with respect to the middle roll, the operator will press one otthe buttons [6a to start the electric motor l3 which will be permitted to run until there is obtained'the pressure for which the gauge has been set; whereupon the operator will press stop button 161) for stopping the motor l3. The same procedure will be followed for the other roll by means of its electric motor and the Whenever it is desired to move roll! "or ,2 away from roll 3, the operator will first set the gauge for the desired pressure, then press the button I60 for reverse operation of the motor l3; and, when the desired pressure is obtained according to the gauge, the stop button lSc will be pressed to stop motor I3. I

The practicaladvantagesof my present mill are quite numerous and will be mentioned only briefly in view of the above explanation. With my form andarrangement of the means for adjusting the rolls and thereby always maintaining parallel relation between the rolls at exactly the pressure desired, it is possible to produce more emcient results, in fact results that have heretofore been impossible in a commercial mill. The adjustment of the rolls in my mill is sensitive, true and dependable; and the touch and-feel of the highly skilled artisan is no longer necessary in order to obtain the proper set-up. Furthermore, the danger of human error is reduced to practically nil and there is also, experienced a decided saving in time in establishing any desired set-up or in adjusting the rolls at any time. With my present arrangement, the rolls may be adjusted at any time, even during actual operation of the mill; and the rolls may be depended upon to stay in the position to which adjusted at any time, this by virtue of the combined arrangement of the double-acting hydraulic means for eifecting the adjustment of the rolls, and its adjusting means.

My present improved mill makes it possible to process many more materials of different characters than has been heretofore possible and the milling operation can be performed at a more sensitive degree of pressure by virtue of the uniform pressure throughout the entire extent of any given roll and also for all rolls in the mill and by virtue also of the provision for temperature regulation within the rolls. This means alsothe elimination of the loss of material that has heretofore been experienced in the grinding of certain commodities, as for instance in the case of certain classes of foods. My present mill makes it possible to chart the'milling operation of any given material and to reproduce the same resultfor the same material in accordance with the chart data in a scientific manner.

Furthermore, as above indicated, the provision of temperature regulation makes it possible to mill at more effective pressures and temperatures and accordingly permits finer milling without any danger of damage to 'the material being milled. There may be obtained any desired operating condition with respect to both pressure and temperature at any time either before or during a given milling operation. 5

Thus, with my present improved mill; there is eliminated the'famili'ar and objectionable "tooth line on a roll as well as other obiectionabl'e features of the old mills. Also, with the increased efficiency' in the results produced by;virtue of my complete regulation of both pressure .s-amro aor and temperaturefthere mm longer any throwbacks", of' unsatisfactory .rmilled products,- -;as

:d eretofore experienced. Furthermore;;.the means ,;;for elfecting operationzandcontrol of my, present 'machineiis extremely simple.;-

The hydraulicsystemrin my presentfmill is completely closed-and hence there may be obtaineduniform and equalizedpressure at'allztimes bothends of.eachzadjustable roll andeach roll ill, :begdependably held in rsuch adjusted .posi-i} istiOnby virtue of the meansfonefiecting such adfiparallel companion 'ga'djustable towards and'from' another of said 'l'ls, said adjustable roll comprising a Y hollow shaft and =a' hollow-roll body rotatable I upon'its s'ha'ft,-mea'ns for holding 'said hollow shaft against Y rotation, means for supplying a cooling medium justment, as above described, which includes the screw and nut combination for operating the master plunger.

It is believed that further advantages, result rality of parallel companion rotatable rolls, one of said rolls being adjustable towards and from another of said rolls, rollers on the two 'ends'of the shaft of 'said adjustable roll for supporting the same and facilitating adjustable movement thereof, said adjustable roll comprisinga hollow tion with the ends of the shaft of said adjustable roll, hydraulic operative connections so arranged .i tlirough said hollow-"shaftiarid into said hollow roll bo'dy, means "provided in the :endsofi said roll =body 'for communicating the cooling medium ito the end-portions thereof, said las'tnanid' .means being actuated by the rotation'onsaid roll body} double-acting lhydraulic master cylinder and plungendouble-acting hydraulic auxiliary cylinders and plungers at theitwo ends of said,

adjustablerroll, :said ;=auxiliary ;.;plungers hbilllng operative connection with -the: ;end s of'itliesshaft 1 auxiliary cylinders connected in parallel and bebetween both sides of said master plungerand both sides of each of said auxiliary plungers so as to have the master and auxiliary cylinders connected in parallel and being otherwise closed so as to permit simultaneous and equalized hy-.

draulic pressure of the auxiliary plungers at jboth ends of said adjustable roll and corresponding adjustment of the two ends of said adjustable roll, means 'for operating said master plunger}; and Y means for rotating said rolls.

2. In a device of the class described, a plurality of parallel companion rolls adapted for rota tion, one of said rolls being adjustable towards and from another of said rolls, said adjustable roll comprising a hollow shaft and a hollow roll body rotatable upon its shaft, means for holding said hollow shaft against rotation, means extending through said hollow shaft and into said hollow roll body for controlling the temperature within said roll and including means for conditioning the temperature of the end portions of each of said rolls, double-acting hydraulic master cylin der and plunger, double-acting hydraulic auxiliary cylinders and plungersat the two ends of said adjustable roll, said auxiliary plungers having operative connection with the ends of the shaft of said adjustable roll, hydraulic operative connections so arranged between both sides of said master plunger and both sides of each of said auxiliary plungers so as to have the master and auxiliary cylinders connected in parallel and being otherwise closed so as to permit simultaneous and equalized hydraulic pressure of the auxiliary plungers at both ends of said adjustable roll and corresponding adjustment of the two ends of said adjustable roll, hydraulic operative connections so arranged between both sides of said master plunger and both sides of each of said auxiliary plungers so as to have the master and ing otherwise closed so asto permit simultaneous and equalized hydraulic pressure of said auxiliary plungers at both ends of said adjustable roll and corresponding adjustment of the two ends of said adjustable roll, means for operating said master plunger, and means for rotating said rolls.

4. 'In a device of the class described, a plurality of-parallel companion rolls, one of said rolls being adjustable towards and from another of said rolls, said adjustable roll comprising a' hollow shaft and a hollow roll body rotatable upon its shaft, means for holding said shaft against rotation, means for supplying and maintaining a cooling liquid within said hollow roll and to a partial depth thereof, means provided in the ends of said hollow (roll and opening to the interior thereof and communicating to the outer end portions of said roll, said last-named means being inclined so as to be actuated by the rotation of said roll in filling and emptying the same, double-acting hydraulic master cylinder and plunger, doubleacting hydraulic auxiliary cylinders and plungers at the two ends of saidadjustable roll, said auxiliary plungers having-operative connection with the ends of the shaft of said adjustable roll, hydraulic operative connections so arranged between both sides of said master plunger and,

both sides of each of said auxiliary plungers as to have the master and auxiliary cylinders connected in parallel and being otherwise closed so as to permit simultaneous and equalized hydraulic pressure of said auxiliary plungers at both ends of said adjustable roll and corresponding adjustment of the two ends of said adjustableroll, means for operating; said master plunger, and means for rotating said rolls.

5. In a device of the class described, a plurality of relatively adjustable companion rotatable rolls with parallel longitudinal axes, means for varying the distance between said rolls, said means including a single masterdouble-acting hydrau- .lic cylinder and a single plunger therein, a pair.

of equal sized auxiliary double-acting hydraulic cylinders and single plungers therein, each latter cylinder located at an end of at least one of said rolls and oriented perpendicularly to the roll axis, operative connections between the plungers of said auxiliary hydraulic cylinders and each adjustable roll, hydraulic operative connections s0 arranged between both sides of the plunger of said master hydraulic cylinder and both sides of each of the plungers ofsaid auxiliary hydraulic cylinders so as to have each side of said master and a single side of said auxiliary hydraulic cylrolls',."one of= said:*rollstbe- -mdersvconnected in parallel, the two parallel 3 hydraulic systems thus arranged being, otherwise closed so as to transmit simultaneous and equal- ;ized pressures upon the operative connection of the auxiliary means and corresponding equal, 5

{adjustment of the two ends of the; adjustable roll, means for operating the plunger in said master j hydraulic cylinder as the sole means for actuatin rand directing-the hydraulic medium, and

j'meansfor rotating said rolls in all positions of 10 a adju tment. as

V EDGAR H. MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED- fille of this patent:

* 'Nuinber llumber 58 i 1:.-::':'' UNITED STATES PATENTS Name I Date Diederichs May 29, 1928 Tunley'et al Jan. 26, 1937 Bloxsom Mar. 3, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Apr. 9, 1926 Great Britain May 31, 1934 came following references are of record in the 4 Italyi Mar. 2, 1938 

